Why Cant I Swim in the Ohio River Stream Flow in Ohio

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Why Cant I Swim in the Ohio River? Stream Flow
in Ohio

• C. Koehler
• NASA Participant ASTE 2009

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Context

• Since I have moved to Cincinnati, I have found
  that when it rains in northern of Ohio, the Ohio
  River becomes too unstable to swim, e.g. high
  water, more effluent, more debris, etc. This
  particularly affects my racing schedule, e.g.
  triathlons. The swim is an important factor in
  my racing as I am a triathlete (swim, bike, run),
  not a duathlete (run-bike-run). I train to swim
  and prefer not to have the swim cancelled the day
  before the race. Your task is to examine stream
  flow data to determine when rain occurs in
  northern Ohio, how long will it take to
  infiltrate into the Ohio River causing the river
  to be unhealthy to swim. This data will save me
  lots of money since it will help me determine
  whether I should register in advance for a race
  or wait until the day before in case the swim is
  cancelled.

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Research Focus

• Your task is to examine stream flow data to
  determine when rain occurs in northern Ohio, how
  long will it take to infiltrate into the Ohio
  River causing the river to be unhealthy to swim.
• Research Question How long does it take surface
  water to flow from specific collection stations
  in Ohio to affect the rise of water in the Ohio
  River?

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Method

• Use http//waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/nwis/rt
• Choose 8 random stations in Ohio 2 from the
  north, 2 east, 2 central, 2 south
• Keep a record of your data
• Use dates May, 2007 Sept, 2007
• Note location using longitude latitude
• Choose-link Summary of all available data at
  this site

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Data Summary

• This is a sample of the Excel data file you will
  create for each station.

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Data Summary

• This is an example of the graph that you will
  create per station.
• Your ultimate graph will be a compilation of all
  the data.

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Data Summary

• At Raccoon Creek in southern Ohio, the most
  discharge occurred during the month of May.

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Conclusion

• It is suggested that you do not choose to race
  during the month of May as it may interfere with
  the swim in the Ohio River close to Cincinnati
  and beyond.

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Implications

• A work in progress

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Educator Implications

• Work in progress